Thread: thoughts for newbie shaving sucess

I read post after post from novice shavers who are starting to shave with str8s...for the most part it seems their initial experience is less than gratifying...The shave is not close and in many cases unpleasant and bloody...so what do they do? after reading the forum posts, they buy a norton stone or buy paste to apply to a strop which should be applied to a paddle and work the razor to death...In my opinion this is not the road to sucess! A new shaver needs to learn and master the basics of stroping and shaving with the str8...He needs to purchase a shave ready str8 from a proven honer such as lynn...he needs to start out with a blade he can handle such as a 5/8 blade...by doing this, the new shaver will learn what a sharp blade is...the newbie should refrain from honing or sharpening with paste as improper technique will destroy whatever edge the honemeister has put on the razor and then its back to square one...I know everyone on this forum wants to see newbies...learn and enjoy the pleasures of str8 shaving...hopefully my thoughts will save the new shaver a lot of... pain and frustration

As a newbie, you touch on a number of things that I was about to ask. So far I haven't made too much of a bloody mess of my face and have gotten an okay shave, but I certainly have a long way to go. I guess my first question is about the sharpness of my razor. I purchased a Dovo 5/8 razor from a cutlery/shaving shop. It seems very sharp - should I be doing anything to it at this point beyond stropping? How often should I strop (every day, every other day)? It sounds like you are saying that for now I should not use stopping paste, is that correct? Also, the stop I purchased is an Illinois 827 and I guess I don't understand when one uses the linen side vs. the leather. Thanks in advance for any advice.

From what I heard most DOVO's dont come shave ready.....but since I don't own one I'm not sure.
And YES, don't use stropping paste unless your blade got rather dull.

First you use the linnen side, then the leather side.

Most, if not almost all razors are not shave ready. You need one of the honemeisters here to put a good edge on it for you. Ask around. It's $20 bucks well spent. Then you will know what sharp really is. I learned the hard way. Started with dull, then got sharp razors. I'm still working on mastering honing, but in the meantime, I've got shave ready razors. It's the only way to go.

RT

Here 's a link from Classicshaving.com's how to and why section. It answers all of your newbie Q's and gives you propper foundation for your straight razor experience. Read it ALL, and then ask here for clarification.

have fun,
Nenad

Charlie,
That is one road that works just as there are many others. Quite a few guys here started out with less than perfect razors and quickly learned to hone or use abrasive pasted strops. Sometimes a less than perfect razor is the motivator to quickly become an expert honer <g>

I started with a less than perfect new Dovo. It was not sharp but Ray also sold me on the pasted strop idea. I was in business from day one by carefully following instructions. Other guys choose to start with the hone and also get good results.

One needs to judge their own abilities. I talk to guys every day getting started and from many conversations one quickly gets a feel that some are best off starting with a very easy path while others are ready to step up to the honing/pasted route from day one.

The one thing everyone will agree on is starting with a truely sharp razor in the beginning. Buy new and pay for honing or buy shave ready from a member. If still not right than there really is no other choice than to learn to hone or sharpen yourself. I get many guys who wonder why after a few weeks the razor is not as sharp as it once was............sharpening was never in their plan. They often think a hanging strop alone is all it will ever take. Sharpening, in it's many forms will be needed and should be learned fairly early in the game to keep those good shaves coming.

My 2 cents.

Tony

I agree with Tony. I received a Dovo 5/8 as a present from my wife a few Christmases ago. I assumed it was shave ready, well it was not. I had a razor I bought on ebay sharpened by Lynn that is my guide to sharpness. I have a Norton 4k/8k hone a 12k hone and a pasted paddle strop from Tony. You will have to learn how to sharpen your razor. I have come to like the pasted strop to keep my razors sharp but at some point I think you will need a hone of some sort. Enjoy

I dont disagree with you guys...keeping blades sharp is essential whether by honing or using paste...but as you can see by the newbie post questions abound...basic skills need to be mastered...a well honed razor should stay sharp for several months minimum with proper care and effective stroping...establishing a benchmark for what a sharp razor should be...during this period the newbie gets proficient at shaving and stroping and lets be honest will probably acquire additional razors....at this point his learning curve, comfort level, and basic knowledge with the help of this forum asking questions and watching interaction between members will have increased...he will be in a better position to make an educated decision about the sharpening and maintance of his razors...I believe one of the benefits of this forum is the wealth of knowledge the members bring to it...If possible I want the newbie to not have to struggle in learning this form of art as most of us did...why pay dues if you dont have to...

I live in Seattle - can anyone refer me to someone who can hone my razor?

Here's my tip for anyone trying a straight for the first time, particularly if it isn't honed like it should be. Don't feel like you HAVE to shave your entire face with it at first. I suggest just doing the cheeks, neck under the chin, and any other easy spots at first. Then try switching hands. Shave only with the grain; try against the grain later if you want. After a short while you will develop a feel for the razor. When this is comfortable then progress to the rest of the face. I think you'll have less blood loss if you ease into the whole process like this.

Mike